HS2 Is Not Going to Help North East

HS2 Is Not Going to Help North East

Article excerpt

THE North East already has the fastest rail links in Britain: the Flying Scotsman averages 103mph, yet the North East is one of the worst regions for unemployment.

A thriving economy depends on a speedy, cheap, integrated public transport network. Building HS2 between London and Birmingham is not going to help the North East.

Its high profile will inevitably mean security checks which will actually increase the journey time between Birmingham and London. The PS30bn to be spent on this leg of the network is a complete waste of public money and some of it should go to the North East economy.

Neither is making Central Station the heart of the transport network sensible. Like many other city stations Newcastle's Central Station was built over 150 years ago before the advent of cars, buses and even bicycles. It is a vital link between the Metro and mainline trains but even refurbishment has been skimped and the Metro stairs have not been replaced by escalators. …